Recording and classifying system



Oct. 6, 1925- v A. L. SCOVILLE RECORDING AND CLASSIFYING SYSTEM Original Filed April 13, 1921 DOD FEEDH' P mwmwm mwfi wcaam 5 m M% .N. w w wwwm @AMMS Patented Get. 6, 1925.

warren sures ALVA L. SCOVILLE, OF LOS ANGE LES, CALIFORNIA.

nnoonnme AND GLASSIFYING SYSTEM} Application filed p l 13, 1931,-Seria1 N9. 461,053. Renewed June 30, 1925.

long felt the necessity for a simplifiedland inexpensive system whereby facts, data and various bits ofinformation collected. at random can be recorded and easily classified'and reclassified regardless of volume, and made available for instant and ready reference.

' Prior systems-are too limited in expansion and too costly and cumbersome in application. r g

The present invention is based upon a principle of nature found in the growth and expanslon of the brain due to multiplication of the cells thereof. Each cell contains within it a nucleus or seed capable of repro ducing a second cell so that when oneceli becomes filled or expanded to capacity it sub-divides and forms asecond cell. The present system following the same principle employs a cell as its smallest unit. .Each cell is of fixed and uniform capacity and contains one or more main classes, and each main class, if desired, is divided into one or more sub-classes. The main classes are indexed by means of a novel and inexpensive follower block which is automatically expansible and also is arranged to exhibit plainly the title of the main class. The sub classes are divided and separated by means of division cards having tops showing the title of the sub-class. Within each subclass are any desired number of sheets or cards upon which data or information is written for preservation and classificatlon. By means of the expansible follower block the individual data-bearing cards are held closely in place whether a few or many are present. When the capacity of the cell is reached a second cell is started in a similar manner, sub-dividing or reclassifying according to what the classification demands. A number of cells go to fill a box or till. Each box or till is fitted With a cover, and

any number of these may be filed away in tiers or side by side on-shelves.

' In the accompanying drawings, I

Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of acell fitted with individual data-bearing cards, division cards separating the data bearing cards into sub-classes, and an expansible follower block at the rear bearing on its top the name of the main class.

Fig. 2 shows a perspective view of one of the boxes or holders for removably receiving a number of these individual cells.

Fig.8 shows a perspective view 01 a larger form of box or holder.

' Fig. 4; shows a plan view of a still larger holderto removably receive a qa'ntity of these individual cells. V

Fig. 5 shows a sectional v view. taken through one of the individual cells illustrating the follower block in expanded position.

Fig.6 shows a similar view illustrating the follower block incontracted position.

Fig. 7 shows a number of boxes or holders of the type illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3 filed away in vertical position side by side, like books.

Fig. 8 shows a number of holders of the type shown in Fig. 4- filed away in tier fashion. l

I show in Fig. 1 a suitable form of'cell which is a rectangular structure 10 either with or without a bottom. Each cell .re-

ceives one or more follower blocks 11 shaped as shown in cross section in Fig. 5. This follower block'll is made of cardboardwit-h inclined legs and a flat ridge 12 at: the top to receive written or printed data "showing the title of the main class. The natural tendency of the legs is to spread apart and keep the individual cards in compacted form within the cell whether there be few or many of these cards. The individual data-bearing cards are indicated at 13, and these may, if desired, be further sub-divided by division cards 14 having tabs 15 to contain the name of the subclass. When the main class expands to the capacity of the cell by reason of the addition of data-bearing cards a second cell is started with the more active subclass as a nucleus. A follower block is placed in the new cell with the title of the sub-class thereon so that the latter now assumes the form and nature of the new main class. A number of these cells, say four, as shown in Fig. 2. or ten, as shown in Fig. 3, are detachably and removably fitted in a box-like structure 16, 16 which when filled may be labeled and filed away on a shelf after the manner of a book. In case a larger volume of :cells is required a till 17 like that shown in Fig. 4, containing say sixty individual and removable cells may be used. This till as well as the boxesshown in Figs. 2 and 3, has a cover 18 and a num berof these- .tills can be filed away-tier upon tier.

A small-sized card is preferably used in thi sys m endi i intended ha each card shallcontain but one fact or thought. Genally speaking, the b ain it e f i c pable of receiving and retaining but one impreseien at a ime, nd h n e a a sys m o learning the present arrangement is ideal. Following as i d s th d velop en f cells .of the brain, a system of this n ur i properly kept shouldgraphically and accurately represent the development and growth of the brain over any given period of time. It teaches t-heuser to classifyand reclassify random faetsso that the cells of the brain and the cells of the recording and classifying system are reciprocally expanded .andimproved. By reason .of, the expansibfle. follower. block a cell can kbeumade to @hold oners'heet oragr'eat many, and when eeell is. full, justas in nature, it is-eapable of.- sub-division and the contents 1of the cell :such .as .thegheads and Sub-heads into which .the second cell is divided should be arranged for new growth and orderly expansion.

' The w.cellsbeing arranged in boxes or trays withtelescopic covers'arekept free of dust and dirt and may be filed away on shelves or otherwise where. they-may .be kept indefi- ,nitely withoutdallger offlbecoming destroyed or injured. T

T,he present System is several .ti1 n es cheaper tornaintain thaniany ,p ior known system- ..Theindividnat sheets are prefer- .flhly.|0f.$mall. SlZe and .0f thin paper, and

' wmaynhehused; with the same freedom as ordinary note paper. In practice the user of thissystem will carry a number of these slips with him at all times upon which to make notes, and subsequently these slips can be filed away in their proper place where they will be instantly available for future reference.

The individual cells or trays it will be noted, expand into holders o r tills and the latter are suitable for permanent filing, being each provided with a cover. These .maybe filed side by side as shown in 'Fig. 7, .or tier upon tier asshown in'F-ig. 8. Thereby the present system is adaptable to any requirement and is capable of indefinite expansion.

Having thus described my invention what I claim" and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. An apparatus for recording and keeping data comprising a box-like receptacle with a removable cover, a plurality of sma l-1 )box-like .Cells removably fitted in said recep- .tacle,memoranda cards fitted loosely in *said cells and an .expansible follower in each cell in the form o'f an inverted V made of comparatively stiff. paper whereby the legs tend to spread apart to compact the menioranda cards, said follower being formed at its top with a Hat index portion integral with the le s.

In a recording and classifying system .a tray, data-bearing cards removably receiyedin the tray, a follower for maintainthe cards in proper position, said follower being formed of a single card board in the shape of an inverted V, the legs of which tend normally to spread apart where- 'by.to compact the cards, .said follower having affiat ridgeat its top formed integral with the legs to receive a general designaitien explanatory of the subject .matter con- .tained .on ;.th.e cards.

ALVA L; SCOVJ LE- 

